Where to Listen to Live Music this Spring

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

While Nashville may be Music City, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is home to a lively—and affordable—music scene. This spring, discover the diversity of Appalachian music, from bluegrass to rock n’ roll, at these upcoming performances.

The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, Maryville

The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint is a 16,000-square-foot concert hall located adjacent to Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson. They have live music every Saturday night, as well as some Fridays and Thursdays. 

• Friday, March 28 from 6:30–11:00 p.m. — The Young Fables Benefit Concert 
• Saturday, April 5 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Big Gun: The Ultimate AC/DC Tribute wsg 103.5 WIMZ Garage Band 
• Saturday, April 12 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — 7 Bridges: Eagles Tribute 
• Saturday, April 19 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Departure: Journey Tribute 
• Saturday, April 26 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Back2Mac: Fleetwood Mac Tribute 
• Saturday, May 3 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Everclear 
• Saturday, May 10 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Ray Wylie Hubbard 
• Thursday, May 15 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke Night 1 
• Friday, May 16 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke Night 2 
• Saturday, May 17 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke Night 3 
• Saturday, May 24 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Black Stone Cherry w/ Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown 
• Saturday, May 31 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — The Wildflowers: The Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute Band 

Rocky Branch Mountain Music, Walland

Rocky Branch Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Walland, has jam sessions every Friday night. You can bring your acoustic instrument to play, or just sit back and enjoy the music. Music genres range from country to bluegrass and gospel.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the kitchen starts serving at 6 p.m. Groups generally start playing at 6:30 p.m., until the last player leaves.

The cost of admission is a donation of your chosen amount to help cover operational expenses.

Bars and Restaurants

Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, located in Alcoa, is a restaurant that serves beers crafted in Tennessee. They have live music in the beer garden on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Upcoming Performances:

• Thursday, April 3 from 7–10 p.m.—Shaun Abbott (country, originals) 
• Friday, April 4 from 8–11 p.m.—The Jaystorm Project (blues, funk, rock, hip-hop) 
• Friday, April 11 from 8–11 p.m.—Gramphix (rock, punk, soul) 
• Thursday, April 17 from 7–10 p.m.—Ryan Roberts (country, southern rock) 
• Friday, April 18 from 7–10 p.m.—AYCA (rock, jazz, R&B, dance, diva rock) 
• Friday, April 25 from 8–11 p.m.—SkyWay 61 (classic rock, dance, originals) 
• Saturday, April 26 from 8–11 p.m.—Zak Saltz Band (southern rock, blues) 
• Friday, May 2 from 8–11 p.m.—The Jaystorm Project (blues, funk, rock, hip-hop) 
• Saturday, May 10 from 8–11 p.m.—Hillbilly Jedi (variety) 
• Friday, May 16 from 8–11 p.m.—Loveshyne (rock, originals) 
• Saturday, May 17 from 8–11 p.m.—Rebel Railroad (originals) 
• Friday, May 23 from 8–11 p.m.—Vagabon Brew (rock n’ roll) 
• Saturday, May 24 from 8–11 p.m.—Virginia Sweet (hard rock, jam band) 
• Friday, May 30 from 8–11 p.m.—The Aaron Tracy Band (classic rock, country, variety) 

These performances are weather permitting. For information about possible delays or cancellations, visit their social media or call the pub.

Two Doors Down, a gastropub in Downtown Maryville, has live music on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 9 p.m. They also have a live DJ every Wednesday.

Upcoming Performances: 

• Friday, March 28 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—FourKast 
• Saturday, March 29 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—Ginger Band 
• Friday, April 4 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—Aunt Betty 
• Saturday, April 5 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—Jordan Foster Band 

Brackins Blues Club, located in Downtown Maryville, has live music on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9 p.m. Occasionally, they have weeknight performances.

Upcoming Performances:

• Thursday, March 27 from 8–11 p.m.—Big Al & the Heavyweights 
• Friday, March 28 from 9 p.m.–12 a.m.—Mighty Blue 
• Saturday, March 29 from 9 p.m.–12 a.m.—Roger Hay Band 
• Tuesday, April 8 from 7:30–9:30 p.m.—The Dirty Dougs Trio 
• Tuesday, April 15 from 7–9 p.m.—B-Side Me 
• Tuesday, May 13 from 7:30–9:30 p.m.—The Dirty Dougs Trio 
• Tuesday, May 20 from 7–9 p.m.—B-Side Me 

Company Distilling, a distillery located in Townsend, has live music on most Friday and Saturday evenings from 6–8 p.m.

Upcoming Performances:

• Friday, March 28 from 6–8 p.m.—Piper Paisley 
• Saturday, March 29 from 6–8 p.m.—Gavin Johnston 
• Friday, April 4 from 6–8 p.m.—Adam Miller 
• Saturday, April 5 from 6–8 p.m.—Jay Dee 
• Friday, April 11 from 6–8 p.m.—Chris Long 
• Saturday, April 12 from 6–8 p.m.—Von Sutherland 
• Friday, April 18 from 6–8 p.m.—Shaun Abbott 
• Saturday, April 19 from 6–8 p.m.—Double Helix 
• Friday, April 25 from 6–8 p.m.—Josh Cottrell 
• Saturday, April 26 from 6–8 p.m.—Piper Paisley 
• Friday, May 2 from 6–8 p.m.—Adam Miller 
• Saturday, May 3 from 6–8 p.m.—Backseat Delilahs 
• Friday, May 9 from 6–8 p.m.—Southern Spirit 

The Abbey, a craft beer pub located in Townsend, has live music on the riverside patio most Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Performances:

• Friday, March 28 — The Woods 
• Saturday, March 29 — Perry Bonck 
• Friday, April 4 — First Friday Artists 
• Saturday, April 5 — Tin Wood Holler 
• Friday, April 11 — Jeremy Johnson 
• Saturday, April 12 — Southern Spirit 
• Friday, April 18 — Dark Waters Project 
• Saturday, April 19 — Butch Truan 
• Friday, April 25 — Joe Podge 
• Saturday, April 26 — Perry Bonck 
• Friday, May 2 — First Friday Artists 
• Saturday, May 3 — Darryl Wallace, Chris Long, Kevin Mahoney 
• Friday, May 9 — Randy Goodman 
• Saturday, May 10 — The Surface Dwellers 
• Friday, May 16 — Andy Sneed 
• Saturday, May 17 — Butch Truan 
• Friday, May 23 — Dark Waters Project 
• Saturday, May 24 — TBA 
• Friday, May 30 — Perry Bonck 
• Saturday, May 31 — Tin Wood Holler 

These performances start at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Peaceful Side Brewery, located in Maryville, has live music every Saturday and live blues music every first Sunday. The third Thursday of the month features Listening Sessions with Captain Ed, their resident vinyl curator. 

Upcoming Performances:

• Saturday, March 29 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Von Sutherland 
• Saturday, April 5 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Karen Bowles 
• Sunday, April 6 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. — Tangled In Blues Lite 
• Saturday, April 12 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Neesee Hurst 
• Thursday, April 17 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. — Listening Sessions with Captain Ed 
• Saturday, April 19 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Short Leasch 
• Sunday, May 4 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. — Live Blues Music 
• Thursday, May 15 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. — Listening Sessions with Captain Ed 

Peaceful Side Social, located in Townsend, has live music every Friday from 4:30–7:30 p.m. 

Upcoming Performances: 

• Friday, March 28 from 4:30–7:30 p.m.— Fred Lee Cole 
• Friday, April 11 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. — The Surface Dwellers 

Will you make it to any of these spring concerts on the Peaceful Side? We’d love to hear about it. Be sure to tag us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).

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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.